Democracy
1) Personalism and polarization are two things that can damage democracy. According to Frantz et. al, what is personalism and how can it erode democracy? How can technological change strengthen it? According to McCoy and Somer, what is polarization and how can it erode democracy? What recommendations do they provide for overcoming it? When an opposing political party engages in autocratic behaviour, is it better to “fight fire with fire” or to “go high when they go low”? Explain your answer.
2) Berman and Kundnani argue that ideological convergence can be as bad for democracy as extreme polarization. How can convergence threaten democracy? What were the consequences of convergence in Western Europe? What is the representation gap? Between convergence and polarization, which do you believe represents the bigger threat to democracy? Defend your answer.
3) Even amidst a democratic recession, Welzel argues that “the future is democratic.” Why does he believe that the future of democracy is bright? Why is the democratic recession overblown? In what way are emancipative values important? What are illiberal scripts of modernity? Do you agree with Welzel that the future is democratic? Why or why not?
